GENEVA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday expressed "alarm" at reports in recent days of mounting hostilities in Syria's southern Dara'a governorate, which is "endangering" around 750,000 people.
"There are reports of deaths and injuries, including among children, due to fighting on the ground and bombardments from the air," said Jens Laerke, the deputy spokesperson for OCHA at a UN briefing here.
He said at least 45,000 people have reportedly been displaced mostly from eastern Dara'a governorate to areas near the border with Jordan.
The displaced people are in urgent need of shelter and humanitarian aid, said OCHA. Civilian infrastructure has also reportedly been attacked and damaged.
Prices are also rising in Dara'a, including on fuel, as commercial movements are disrupted by the fighting, adding to people's vulnerability, OCHA noted.
"Despite the increasing hostilities, the United Nations and our partners continue to provide food, health, nutrition, education and other core relief items to hundreds of thousands of people in need in southern Syria from across the border in Jordan," said Laerke.
